francene--blog. Year 2013
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April 15th

4/15/2013

 
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Today, I'm thinking about the first job I held. It's hard to decide which one came first 55 years ago. Let me see how it happened. In 1958, my mother, sisters and I moved from Melbourne, Australia to Adelaide. Uncle Peter's wife had left him and his two young children needed care. We arrived in Brighton by the coast, where my great-grandparents had built one of the first houses in the new settlement.

At the age of 16 years, I'd never had a boyfriend, but longed for my first encounter. I applied to transfer to the local high school. However, at my interview, the head teacher advised me to forget about further education because I obviously wasn't interested. He was right. At 5'10", I'd trained as a model and wore the latest trends. Can you imagine a teacher giving this recommendation these days?

Anyway, I landed a job at a receptionist job at an advertising agency. My tasks were answering the phone and passing on messages. I can't remember doing anything else. There might have been filing tasks. My grandmother, who worked as a deputy-head for a private school, made me delicious rye bread sandwiches with sour pickle for lunch.




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Glenelg Tram. First Test Run - 1929. www.flickr.com

The Glenelg tram took me on the 20 minute journey to and from work. The excitement of the venture never wore off. Those trams, with their timber bench-type seats, walnut paneling and brass fixtures, were splendid examples of Victorian engineering. They smelled of tobacco smoke and old oil.




After six months, my employer decided I would be better suited to something else and passed me on to his friend in the Adelaide Hills, where I worked as a doctor's receptionist for about a year.

On thinking back, I was intelligent, bright and personable, but completely lacking in the desire to learn—stubborn and self-motivated with a drop-out teenager mentality. Supported by a doting mother, I simply loved life and gave no thought to the future. Self-confidence, a belief in God, and a desire to remain true to positive principles, steered me through potential pitfalls.

I went on to experience amazing things, meet people from all walks of life, travel the world, live in different countries, work in many jobs and finally, write—poetry, songs and novels. You can see the four published books at the bottom of the page. Five more will be released in due time.

Perhaps my reminiscences will help you understand why some teenagers are seemingly dopey. Don't give up on them. Life offers a purpose that is sometimes hidden during these formative years.


Amy link
4/14/2013 10:27:36 pm

Good point, Francene. Whenever my husband and I start to worry about the development of one our children, we stop short and remind ourselves of what we ourselves were doing at their ages. We didn't have everything figured out in our teen years. either. What a cute photo, by the way. You were a dish--still are, I warrant!!

Francene Stanley link
4/15/2013 06:07:48 pm

I'm glad I've reassured you. Sometimes teenagers can be very trying. Just remember, you only have them for a short time and, as adults, they'll be the person they were meant to be.

Nancy Norbeck link
4/15/2013 03:49:34 am

I hate it when people make assumptions about others' live at any age! I taught teenagers for eight years and one of the most powerful lessons I learned was about how there was always some piece of the story that you weren't likely to know that would make all the other seemingly disparate elements fall into place. If you assume, you'll never find out what that piece is, and you'll end up being the factor that makes a kid think less of him/herself--at best. It's always worth taking the time to look behind the facade with anyone, but it may be most true with teenagers.

Francene Stanley link
4/15/2013 03:54:43 am

Well put, and from the viewpoint of a teacher. I hope all teachers think the way you do.

Barry link
4/15/2013 04:08:40 am

Thanks for the snapshot of your journey Francene. Purpose is so important. Thanks for the example of how you found yours.

Francene Stanley link
4/15/2013 06:08:42 pm

We need to share our memories of how things were, lest we forget.

AMummysLife link
4/15/2013 05:31:10 am

Funny! My first job at 16 was as an office junior/receptionist. It was only a summer job though as I was still attending school at the time :)

Francene Stanley link
4/15/2013 06:09:53 pm

I guess it's one of the easiest jobs for a youngster. I pity the employers though--and bless them for their perseverance.

Sharon link
4/16/2013 11:41:25 pm

I enjoyed reading this, especially because I am worrying about the future of my children at the moment. Maybe unnecessarily!

Thank you and well done on your success.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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